Duplicating machine



S p 1934. J-. J. FLANIGAN 1,972,380

DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed Feb. 27, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 4, 1934.J. J. FLANIGAN DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed Feb. 27, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2wummow RN QR Patented Sept. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFHCEDUPLICATING MACHINE tion of Illinois Application February 27, 1932,Serial No. 595,455

11 Claims.

This invention relates to duplicating machines of the kind operating onthe hectograph principle.

In hectograph duplicating machines a gelatinous substance provides theimpression surface and usually this substance is in the form of a bandwound upon a supply spindle, removably mounted in the machine, and it iswithdrawn from this spindle and stretched over the bed of the machine tobe wound upon a take-up spindie, the successive portions of the bandpositioned on the bed providing the impression surfaces. Sometimes thesemachines are used continuously and but a few impressions are taken fromthe matrix provided on each portion of the band positioned above the bedand as the band is relatively short, it is, under these conditions,quickly wound from the supply spindle onto the take-up spindle.Sometimes, however, a large number of impressions are taken from thesuccessive matrices on the band or the machine is used only at intervalsduring the day and under these conditions of operation the band is notso quickly wound from the supply spindle onto the take-up spindle. Whenthe machine is so operated that the band is quickly wound from onespindle to the other, a large number of bands are used in the course ofa day, but where the bands are not so quickly wound from one spindle tothe other, only a few of the relatively short bands are used. It is thesalient object of my invention to provide a novel duplicating machineincluding a band of suflicient length to supply enough impressionsurfaces to care for those conditions of operation under which a limitednumber of short bands are now used in the course of a day.

Gelatin bands become soft and even gummy and sticky when warmed and thismakes handling, winding and unwinding quite diflicult and it may happenthat the condition of the band will be such that it will not besatisfactory for use. This may arise when the bands are used inlocalities where the temperature and humidity run quite high as intropical or semitropical countries. In view of this, another object ofmy invention is to keep the band in proper condit'on by regulation oftemperature in the parts wherein the band is stored.

Other objects are to provide a novel duplicating machine in which theband is wound in one direction by power and wherein the band may bemanually wound in th s or the opposite direction; in which a molsteningdevice may be contacted with the band to condition the same during poweror manual winding thereof; in which the portion of the band stretchedover the bed is held in taut condition and wherein power winding isprevented so long as the band is so held; and

which is economical in manufacture and eflicient in operation.

A selected embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and therein Fig. 1 is a top plan in which certainparts are broken away;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation wherein certain parts are broken away;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 on Fig.1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4 4 on Fig.1; and

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the circuit.

In the machine illustrated in the accompanying drawings, 6 is the bedsupported between trackways carried by the side frame members '7 and 8.A carriage C, which may be of the kind disclosed in my co-pendingapplication, Serial No. 565,233, filed September 26, 1931, is providedand is supported for reciprocation over the portion of the gelatin bandB stretched across the bed and when the platen roller P in the carriageis lowered by manipulation of the handle H, a sheet hearing a form to beduplicated may be applied to the band to provide a matrix or sheets maybe applied to the band to take impressions from a matrixpreviouslyprovided thereon. Band is used herein in a generic sense, thatis to say, the band may be a continuous one-piece gelatinous strip or itmay be made up of a plurality of standard length bands or short strips,suitably joined together. 7

A shaft 9 is journaled in the side frame mem bers '7 and 8 adjacent thefront ends thereof and the hollow spindle 10 is rotatably supportedabout this shaft. In the spindle 10 adjacent one end thereof, a disc 11is fast and is rotatable with the spindle about the shaft. Embracing theshaft and unitary with the disc and projecting from one face thereof isa clutch member 12. A bearing 13 is carried by the side frame member 8inwardly thereof and the shaft 9 is journaled in this bearing and in abearing 14 carried by the side frame member 8 outwardly thereof. Theshaft projects beyond the bearingl i and a hand wheel 15 is fixedthereto by a pin 16 or the like whereby manipulation of the hand wheel15 causes rotation of the shaft 9. A clutch member 1'7 is rotatablymounted on the shaft 9 and on the periphery thereof is an outwardlyfacing evel gear 18 disposed adjacent the inner end of electric thebearing 9. Mounted between the clutch members 12 and 17 is a weightedsliding clutch member 19 having a slot 20 therein through which the pin21 fast in the shaft is projected. When the hand wheel 15 is rotated ina clockwise direction, the action of the pin 21 in the slot 20 causesthe sliding clutch member 19 to move along the shaft 9 and engage theclutch member 12 whereby the spindle 10 is connected to the shaft 9 andis so rotated that the band B is wound thereon.

The end of the supply spindle 22 adjacent the side frame member '7 isremovably journaled on a stud 23 01' the like and a clamping device 24at the other end thereof detachably connects this spindle to the shaft25 iournaled inthe bearing member 26 carried by the side frame member 8and the band B is normally stored on this spindle. Surrounding thespindle 22 and the band B wound thereon is a housing 2'7 havinga movablelid 23 including a latch 29 for holding the lid in an open position sothat the band may be withdrawn from the spindle 22 and directed over theroller 30, at the rear end of the bed 6,'and the bed and past the guide31, at the front end of the bed, and the free end of the band isdetachably connected, in an approved manner, to the take-up spindle 10.

When all of the band B is wound on the spindle 22, the lid 28 is movedinto closing position whereby the band is enclosed in. the housing 27.Thus, the band is fully housed and protected against damage and thisfacilitates keeping the band in proper condition and also prevents dustand the like from collecting on the band. I have provided a coil 32 inthe housing 27 and by circulating a refrigerating medium through thiscoil a predetermined temperature is maintained in the housing 2'7whereby the band is kept in proper condition, and this permits use ofthe machine in tropical or semi-tropical localities where con ditionsare not suitablefor practical use of ordinary hectograph duplicatingmachines. iIt is to be understood that the provision of the coil 32 isoptional and may be omitted if desired or not needed, as when themachine is to be used under ordinary conditions. V

Carried by the side frame member 8 inwardly thereof are bearings 33 and34 in which a shaft 35 is journaled, this shaft extending longitudinally of the machine in the compartment defined between the verticalpartition 36 and the side frame member 8. At the forward end of theshaft 35 is a bevel gear 3'? meshed with thebevel gear 18. At the rearend of the shaft 35 is a bevel gear 38 meshed with the bevel gear 39rotatably mounted on the shaft 40 carried by the bearing 34:. Fast on.the bevel gear 39 is a spur gear 41 meshing with a spur gear 42 fast onthe shaft 25. When the hand wheel 15 is rotated in a counter-clockwisedirection, the action of the pin 21 in the slot 20 causes thesliding-clutch member l to disengage the clutch member 12 whereupon thespindle 10 is disconnected from the shaft 9 and the sliding clutchmember moves along the shaft until it engages the clutch member 17whereupon the shaft is connected to the bevel l8 and rotation of thisbevel gear .is transmitted to the bevel gear: 3'? and to the haft 35,thence through the bevel gear 38'to the bevel gear 39 and through spurgear d1 to spur gear 12 whereby the shaft 25 consequently the spindle 22are rotated and rotation of the spindle 22, as brought about by thesedevices, causes the band B to be wound thereupon.

As stated, the band B is stretched over the bed 6 between the spindles22 and 10 and manipulation of the hand wheel 15 causes one or the otherof the spindles to be rotated for rotation the hand wheel causes thesliding clutch member 19 to engage either the clutch member 12 or theclutch member 17 and to disengage the other clutch member to therebyfree the other spindle, and when a spindle is so rotated, the band iswound thereon and this arrangement may be used to slightly shift theposition of the band B on the bed 5 to orient a matrix provided on theportion thereof stretched over the bed 6. The hand wheel 15 is utilizedto wind the band in a step by step manner onto the spindle 10 and theportions of the band positioned over the bed 6 in the intervals in thisstep-by-step movement provide the impression surfaces.

When all of the band has been wound onto the spindle 10, it is desirablethat it be rewound onto the spindle 22 and, while this may be done byoperation of the hand wheel 15, it is usually done at one time ratherthan in a step-by-step manner and by reason of the length of the band Ihave found it advantageous to provide power means for rewinding the bandonto the supply spindle. This power means includes an electric motor 43mounted on a bracket 44 carried by 45 secured to the side frame members.On the shaft is of the motor I provide a worm gear 4? meshed with. aworm wheel i8 fast on the shaft stending transversely of the machine andled in bearings carried by the side frame i. loers. The shaft d9 extendsthrough the side fra he member 8 and rotatably mounted thereon outwardlyof the side frame member is a sprocket 59. A clutch member 51 is keyedto the shaft 49 to be rotatable therewith and slidable therealongwhereby it may be engaged or disengaged with the sprocket 50 and whenengaged with the sprocket 50 this clutch member connects said sprocketto the shaft 49. When the band is being wound manually by rotation thehand wheel 15, the clutch member is in disengaged position. An endlesschain 52 is directed about the sprocket 52 and about a sprocket 53 faston the shaft 25 outwardly of the side frame member 8. This chain and thesprockets are enclosed in a housing 54 secured'on the outer side of theside frame member 8. When the sprocket 50 is rotated with theshaft 49,rotation is transmitted through the chain 52 to the sprocket 53 andthence to the shaft 25 whereby the spindle 22 is rotated in a directionto wind the band B thereon. During the time the power means is windingthe band onto the spindle 22 the sliding clutch member 19 is in anintermediate position, disengaged from both the clutch member 12 and theclutch member 17. While I have shown the power means as winding the bandonto the rear spindle, it is to be understood that it could be utilizedto wind the band onto the front spindle, or a power means might beprovided to wind the band onto both spindles without departing fromthepurview of my invention.

In order to provide a proper impression surface, it is desirable thatthe. portion of the band directed over the bed be stretched taut andthis is accomplished by providing devices to prevent unwinding movementof the spindles 10 and 22. The spindle 10 extends beyond the verticalpartition 36 and two ratchets 55 and 56 are fastened thereon, eachhaving a like number of similar teeth. The ratchets are mounted side byside and the teeth on one ratchet are preferably disposed in a positionmidway between the teeth on the other ratchet and this alternatedisposition of the teeth on these ratchets provides a fine adjustmentwithout the necessity of providing relatively fine teeth and because ofthe alternate disposition of the teeth a tooth on one or the other ofthe ratchets is always in position to be engaged by the pawl 57. Thepawl 57 is fast on a shaft 56 iournaled in bearings in the side framemember 8 and partition 36 and a spring 59 acts to normally hold the pawlout of engagement with the teeth of the ratchets. Fast on the shaft 35below the shaft 58 is a disc 60 surrounded by a brake band 61' includinglimb portions 61 and 62 having openings therein through which the shaft56 is extended. A sleeve 63 is disposed about the shaft 58 between thelimb portion 62 and a plate 64 engaging the side frame member 8, andthis sleeve limits movement of the limb portion 62 along the shaft 58.Rotatably mounted on the shaft 5s is a cam member 65 which is disposedbetween the limb portion 61 and a pin 66' fast on said shaft 58. Ahandle 67 is provided on the shaft 53 and this handle is disposedoutwardly of the side frame member 8. When the handle 67 is turned torotate the shaft 58, the pin 66 acts on the cam member 65 to force thesame along the shaft 58 whereby the limb portion 61 is forced toward theheld limb portion 62 and in this way the brake band 61 is tightened onthe periphery of the disc 66 and the shaft 35 is held against rotationand since the shaft is connected to the spindle 22, in the mannerdescribed, the spindle is held against rotation: At the time the handle67 rotates the shaft 58 to clamp the brake band 61 on the disc 66, thepawl 57 is moved toward the ratchets 55 and 56 and engages a tooth onone or the other of these ratchets and prevents unwinding movement ofthe spindle 10. In the foregoing inanner both the spindles are heldagainst one movement. By rotating the handle 67 in the oppositedirection, the spindles are re leased. But when the spindles are heldagainst unwinding movement, the spindle 10 is turned to wind the bandthereon and slight movement,

imparted to this spindle draws the band taut over the bed.

The band B is semi-fragile and consequently if the motor 44 is set inoperation at the time the spindles are held against unwinding movement,the band might be torn or otherwise damaged. To prevent this I provide asafety arrangement. A plate 68 of insulating material projects inwardlyfrom the side frame member 8 and mounted thereon is a pair of verticallyspaced contacts 69 and 76. Fast on the shaft 58 is an arm 71 ofinsulating material carrying a contact plate 72. At the time the handle67 is turned to clamp the brake band 61 on the disc 66 and engage thepawl 57 with either the ratchet 55 or the ratchet 56, the arm 71 is soturned that the plate 72 is moved from bridging position between thecontacts 69 and 76. A conductor 73 (Fig. 5 leads from the source ofcurrent to one terminal of the motor 43 and a conductor 74 leads fromthe other terminal of the motor to the contact 69. A conductor 75 leadsfrom the contact 70 to one terminal of the main switch 76 and aconductor 77 leads from the other terminal of the switch to the source.Thus, the contacts 69 and 70 and the switch 76 are in series and shouldthe in switch 76 be closed at the time the plate in is disengaged fromthe contacts 69 and 70, the motor 43 is not set in operation. But whenthe handle 67 is moved to release the spindles, the

plate 72 moves into position to close the circuit between the contacts69 and 70, andhence when the switch 76 is closed, the motor 43 is set inoperation to wind the band onto the spindle 22.

It is essential that the gelatin band, be moistened from time to timeand preferably this moistening is brought about prior to the time thesuccessive portions of the band move into impression position over thebed 6 and it is usually advantageous to moisten the band at the time itis rewound onto the spindle 22. To this end a water tank 77 is providedat the bottom of the housing 27. When not in use, this tank may beclosed by the removable plate 78. However, when it is desired to moistenthe band, the tank 77 is filled with water so that at least a portion ofthe periphery of the roller 79 is always immersed in the water. Theroller 79 is carried by arms 80 of the members 81 which includedepending lugs 82 pivotally mounted at 83 on brackets 84 carried by thetank 77. Arms 85 project from the members 81 through slots 86 in theforward end of the housing 27 and a weight 87 is carried by these armsoutwardly of the housing. Mounted in the side frame members 7 adjacentthe front of the machine is a rotatable member 88 including a handle 89.The member 88 includes an arm 96 to which a link 91 is pivotallyconnected. At the rear end of the link 91 is a slot 92 through which apin 93 on one of the members 81 is extended. By turning the handle 89,the member 88 is so rotated that the arm 90 is positioned to move thelink 91 into a position whereat the forward end of the slot 92 engagesthe pin 93 and when in this position the roller 79 is held out ofcontact with the band B wound upon the spindle 22. But when the handle89 is turned to rotate the member 88 so that the member 90 positions thearm 91, as shown in Fig. 2, the weight 87 acts to urge the roller 79into engagement with the periphery of the roll of the band B wound onthe spindle 22 and as the spindle rotates and the band B moves past theroller 79 water picked up by said roller in the tank 77 is applied tothe band.

By providing a band of sufficient length to care for conditions ofoperation under which only a l mited number of short bands are used, thenecessity of removing and installing bands is obviated. Thus, theliklihood of damage due to careless handling and improper storing isavoided. By providing a moistening device in the machine, the treatmentof the band is facilitated and there is greater assurance that the bandwill be treated properly and this increases its life. Operation and useof the machine is also facilitated by provio'ing a long band and thismay be made up in a single unit or by joining together a plurality ofshort bands. By the use of such a long band considerable time is savedand this is augmented by the provision of power means for rewinding theband. Moreover, inadvertent operation of the power rewind is preventedby the safety arrangement cooperating with the holding device whichmaintains the portion of the band stretched over the bed in tautcondition. The machine also includes a manually operable winding devicewhich is capable of operation independently of the power winding andthis may be utilized not only for the purpose of winding the band butalso to stretch the band and to orient the matrix. The provision of ahousing in which the band is stored and of means for maintaining adesired temperature in this housing permits the use of the machine inlocalities whereat the use of hectograph duplicating machines haspreviously been impractical. And the machine is economical inmanufacture and efficient in operation.

I have shown a selected embodiment of the invention but this issusceptible of variation and modification and I reserve the right to allchanges and alterations within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims:

I claim:

1. In a duplicating machine, a supply spindle, a take-up spindle. meansfor winding a band onto and from both of said spindles, power means forrewinding the band onto the supply spindle, means for locking saidspindles against rotation, and means for preventing operation of saidpower means when the spindles are locked against rotation.

2. In a duplicati machine, a supply spindle, a take-up spindle, manuallyoperable means for winding a band from one spindle onto the other, powermeans independent of said manually operable means for winding said bandfrom one spindle to the other, means for locking said spindles againstrotation, and means for preventing operation of said power means whenthe spindles are locked against rotation.

8. In a duplicating machine, a band providing an impression surface, asupply spindle for the band, a take-up spindle for the band, means forwinding the from the supply spindle onto the take-up spindle, powermeans for rewinding the band onto the supply spindle, means forarranging the band in operative state, and means preventing operation ofsaid power means when the band is arranged in operative state.

l, In a duplicating machine, a band providing impression surfaces,spindles onto and from which said band is wound and between which saidband is extended, means for arranging the portion of the band betweenthe spindles in operative state to provide an impression surface, powermeans for winding the band, and means preventing operation of the powermeans when the portion of the band between the spindles is arranged inoperative state.

5(In a duplicating machine, a pair of spaced spindles, a band extendedbetween said spindles and adapted to be wound onto one spindle as it isunwound from the other spindle, power means for rotating said spindles,locking means for preventing unwinding movement of said spindles, andmeans preventing operation of said power means when said locking meansis in locking position.

6. Ina duplicating machine, a supply spindle, a take-up spindle, a bandextended between said spindles and adapted to be wound onto one of saidspindles as it is unwound from the other spindle, manually operablemeans for rotating said spindles to wind said band, locking means forholding said spindles against unwinding movement, and power means forrotating said spindles to wind said band and operable only when saidlocking means is released to permit unwinding movement of said spindles.

7. In duplicating machine having a bed, a supply spindle at one end ofsaid bed, a take-up spindle at the other end of said bed to which a bandwithdrawn from said supply spindle and directed over said bed may beconnected, a shaft adapted for cooperation with one of the movementreceiving members on said shaft and with the movement receiving memberconnected to said take-up spindle and selectively operable to driveeither said supply spindle or said take-up spindle to wind said bandthereon, and power eans including a part cooperating with the other ofsaid movement receiving members on said shaft and operable to wind saidband from saidtake-up spindle onto said supply spindle.

8. In a duplicating machine having a bed, a supply spindle at one end ofsaid bed, a take-up spindle at the other end of said bed to which a bandwithdrawn from said supply spindle and directed over said bed may beconnected, a shaft connected to said supply spindle and having a pair ofmovement receiving members thereon, a

movement receiving member connected to said take-up spindle, windingmeans including a part adapted for cooperation with. one of the movementreceiving members on said shaft and with the movement receiving memberconnected to said take-up spindle and selectively operable to driveeither said supply spindle or said take-up spindle to wind the bandthereon, a power driven shaft, and means for connecting said powerdriven shaft with the other of the movement receiving members on theshaft connected to said supply spindle whereby said power driven shaftmay be operated to wind said band from said take-up spindle onto saidsupply spindle.

9. In a duplicatinr machine having a bed, a supply spindle at one end ofsaid bed, a takeup spindle at the other end of said bed to which a bandwithdrawn from ,said supply spindle and directed over said bed may beconnected, a shaft connected to said supply spindle and having a pair ofmovement receiving members thereon, a movement receiving member.connected to said take-up spindle, winding means including a partadapted for cooperation with one of the movement receiving members onsaid shaft and with the movement receiving member connected to 'saidtake-up spindle and selectively operable to drive either said supplyspindle or said take-up spindle to wind theband thereon, a power drivensaid power driven shaft may be operated to wind said band from saidtake-up spindle onto said supply spindle, said releasable partdisconnecting said power driven shaft when the winding means isoperated.

10. In a duplicating machine having a bed, a container atone end of saidbed, a supply spindle mounted in said container, a take up spindlemounted at the other end of said bed, a shaft extending into saidcontainer and connected to 'said supply spindle, a pair of movementreceiving 1 members mounted on said shaft, a movement movement receivingmember connected to said take-up spindle and selectively operable todrive either said supply spindle or said take-up spindle to wind theband thereon, and power means including a part cooperating with theother of said movement receiving members on said shaft, the power meansand the part thereof cooperating with said movement receiving member andsaid movement receiving member being mounted out of said container, saidpower means being operable to wind the band from the take-up spindleonto the supply spindle.

1 In a duplicating machine having a bed, a container at one end of saidbed,'a supply spindie mounted in said container, a take-up spindlemounted at the other end of said bed, a shaft tainer, said winding meansalso cooperating with. the movement receiving member connected to saidtake-up spindle and being selectively operable to drive either saidsupply spindle or said take-up spindle to wind the'band thereon, and

power means including a part cooperating with the other of saidmovementreceiving members on said shaft, the power means and the part"thereof cooperating with said movement receiving member and saidmovement receiving mem her being mounted out of said container, saidpower means being operable to wind the band from the take-up spindleonto the supply spindle.

f JOHN J. FLANIGAN.

